Sunday, May 2, 2021
The word “Languish” is the perfect word to describe the 39th day. One definition of ‘languish’ puts it this way: “It is the void between depression and flourishing.” It’s not functioning at full capacity...”the dulling of delight and the dwindling of drive.” And it is perhaps the perfect word to describe the prophet Elijah at the beginning of 1 Kings 19:5-8. In fleeing evil Queen Jezebel, Elijah became exhausted and without strength. An angel of the Lord came and strengthened him for his coming journey that would take for 40 days and 40 nights. The hospitality of the Lord at the beginning of Elijah’s journey sustained him the whole way. As Pastor Lindsay put it, “While we languish, God lavishes. We sometimes only need to break a bit to see it.”
The antidote of languishing is lavishing. “See what great love God has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.” Are we missing the lavish love of God? Are we missing opportunities to lavish others with the love of God when we are caught in languishing? This is about lifting our eyes from our own troubles and looking up to God and looking out to lavishing others with Christ’s love.